Wow, Bozeman! What a whirlwind of a beer week it was!

Photo credit: Single Six Media

Yesterday, we wrapped up craft beer week with our Best of Craft Beer Week Awards and a prize drawing at Sidewinders American Grill! Chosen by the people (that's you, beer lovers), these awards honor the favorite events, beer, breweries, and more craft beer week event-goers enjoyed most! The award winners are as follows:

Favorite Event: MBA Brewers Spring Rendezvous

Favorite Brewery: MAP Brewing

Favorite Bar or Restaurant for Beer: Sidewinders American Grill

Favorite Beer: Gallatin Valley Lager (2018 BCBW collaboration beer)

Favorite GVLT Trail: Drinking Horse

Favorite Craft Beer Week Volunteer: Niki McCormick

2018 #BznBeerWeek Giveaway Winners

Along with the awards ceremony, we also held the drawing for the winners of the 2018 #BznBeerWeek Giveaway at yesterday's wrap-up event. Below are the winners listed in order from Grand Prize through 8th Prize.

Grand Prize - Nicole Molloy

2nd Prize - Mary Stone

3rd Prize - Bekah Shields

4th Prize - Patrick Donovan

5th Prize - Riley Slaughter

6th Prize - Lindzee Hahne

7th Prize - Kathy Holte

8th Prize - Niki McCormick

A full list of prize packages, including the sweet kegerator we gave away, is available here.

Congrats to all the winners! And a big thank you to our sponsors, event hosts, and craft beer week lovers who made this amazing beer week possible! We couldn't have done it without you!

Craft beer week is almost here. In preparation, we thought we'd share some survival tips to help you get through the week.

#1 PICK UP YOUR GUIDE

First off, head over to Sidewinders American Grill, Dee-O-Gee, or MAP Brewing to get your #BznBeerWeek Passport. Not only is there over $100 worth of discounts contained within its pages for you to cash in on, but you also have a chance at winning over $2000 in prizes. Plus, the Passport is also your complete, pocket-sized, stamp-collecting guide to the week!

#2 GET A HANDLE ON THE WEEK

There’s a TON of events going on during craft beer week (27 to be exact!), so take some time to take it all in. Peruse the events in your Passport or the online event schedule to carefully construct your Google calendar for the 8-day beer extravaganza that’s about to descend upon our wonderful little mountain town!

#3 MAKE A PLAN

After you’ve planned out which events you’ll be attending, create a schedule of who’s driving on what days, what time you’re heading out, and where you’re going to have dinner. If you’re from out of town, make sure you’ve got a solid place to stay, so you can recuperate each evening.

Our friends at Element Hotel in Downtown Bozeman offer great rooms and service! Visit the Only in Bozeman blog to learn more about Element and other great hotels in downtown Bozeman.

#4 GET AROUND SAFELY

While craft beer is important to us here at Fermentana, our other two core values are community and collaboration. We care about keeping our community and everyone in it safe, so make plans to get a safe ride home.

You can download the Uber app. Set it up with your card information right away, then you’ll be ready to call an Uber after enjoying a night full of craft beer events.

The Greater Valley Taxi also has the schedule for the week and will be extra prepared to give rides throughout Craft Beer Week. You can call them in Belgrade at (406) 388-9999 or in Bozeman at (406) 587-6303. You can also reserve online.

Of course, if you’ve got a friend that’s an absolute saint, they can always be your sober driver, too. There’s also the option of gathering a group of your friends and taking turns driving each day. That way everyone gets a chance to enjoy the week! Whatever you do, just remember to drink responsibly and stay safe!

#5 EAT.

It seems obvious, but when you’re in the middle of eight days of craft beer celebration, sometimes the details (like eating) can slip by.

One way to fully enjoy Bozeman's craft beer scene and ALSO make sure you eat is to head to an event that features both! Go figure! We’ve got a few beer and food pairing events happening during the week, so consider attending one.

Check out these beer and food pairing events happening during the week:

Tuesday, May 8th, Beer Pairing Dinner to Benefit GVLT @ Montana Ale Works - There are two seatings - the first at 5:30pm and the second at 7:30pm. Tickets are $40/each and available for purchase here.

And remember, many of our other event hosts also offer amazing food you can enjoy while you’re getting your craft beer fix, so take some time to check out all the great food available throughout our community.

Another great way to prepare: Take the time to head to the store this week to stock up on some healthy snacks and hearty breakfast items. Your morning-after self will thank you!

#6 WATER!

If you’re coming from out of town, the elevation can sneak up on you! And even for us high-altitude beer drinkers, the Double IPAs and Imperial Stouts can catch us off guard from time to time. The trick to avoiding this is to STAY HYDRATED!

Now is the time to treat yourself to that nice S’well or Hydroflask water bottle you’ve been eyeing. Fill it up on your way out the door and it will keep you hydrated all evening.

At events, don’t be shy about asking for water in between your beers, too. Remember, that water will also keep your palate nice and fresh for tasting so many new beers! And many of our event hosts offer half-pint options as well, which is a great way to pace yourself.

Photo credit: Single Six Media

#7 MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DAYS

It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful week, so take advantage of the nice weather and breathtaking scenery the Gallatin Valley has to offer! Treat yourself to a hearty breakfast, make a cup of coffee, go for a little afternoon stroll after work. Or, if you’re visiting, take that hike or spend the morning fishing one of our local trout streams. Then, head back into town and get ready to raise a pint with your friends at your favorite craft beer events!

Gallatin Valley Lager on tap, in cans around Bozeman

Last week, the Bozeman Craft Beer Week 2018 collaboration beer, the Gallatin Valley Lager, was kegged, canned, and sent on it's way to the distributor, bound for taps and retail shelves around Bozeman! This beer was brewed by 10 of our local breweries to commemorate Bozeman's 2nd Annual Craft Beer Week. Created using locally-grown malt from Bridger Malt House and hops from Crooked Yard Hops, the 2018 collaboration beer is a refreshing, crisp Montana Pale Lager bursting with citrusy hop aroma.

Breweries involved with this collaboration include the following:

Craft beer week event-goers can expect to find the collaboration lager available on tap and in cans at Bozeman Brewing Company, the host brewery for the beer project, as well as at participating sponsor businesses and retailers starting in late April through the end of craft beer week.

Proceeds from the sale of the collaboration beer, will be donated to Fermentana's craft beer week nonprofit partner, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, to support their mission of protecting open space and creating trails across the community.

Photo credit: Single Six Media

So where can you find the Gallatin Valley Lager?

Starting later this week, the Gallatin Valley Lager will be on tap and store shelves around Bozeman, just in time for the kickoff of Bozeman's 2nd Annual Craft Beer Week!

Check out the following locations to find the 2018 collaboration beer on tap:

Some beer experts say that successful breweries are the mark of a thriving community. Here in Bozeman, we'd say that's certainly the case. We currently sit at 9 operating breweries within city limits with another 2 in Belgrade, and an additional 2 more are poised to open in the Gallatin Valley later this year.

Built on a wealth of community support, Bozeman Craft Beer Week is a product of this burgeoning beer scene and the many local businesses which support it. In 2018, a total of 48 local businesses and organizations (including 11 local operating breweries), up from 32 businesses in our first year, signed on as sponsors at varying levels for our second annual craft beer week and we couldn't be more grateful for their support.

This week, we'd like to share with you a little about what each of our top level sponsors had to say about why they are involved with Bozeman Craft Beer Week! After reading what they have to say, we hope you'll stop by these participating establishments and tell them you appreciate their support of craft beer week. Because without them, this weeklong community craft beer bash wouldn't be possible!

Photo credit: Single Six Media

Co-Presenting Sponsor

"Craft beer is a huge part of Sidewinders. We have 76 draft beers on tap and try to support as many Montana, and more specifically Bozeman, breweries as we can. We knew that when we were building our restaurant we needed something that set us apart. We take our role in the beer community seriously, so why should anyone else be the co-presenting sponsor other than Sidewinders. Local beer is an integral part of community events in Bozeman and we are excited to be a part of that!"

What beer can't you live without?

"Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. It was the beer that introduced me to craft beer."

Sourdough Level Sponsors

Why is your business involved with Bozeman Craft Beer Week?"Bridger Brewing is involved with Bozeman Craft Beer Week because of the community that the craft brew industry has founded in Bozeman. Bridger Brewing encourages the creativity, friendships, and perseverance that are continuously developed in the craft beer industry. We support the growth and future of craft beer!

What was your favorite part of craft beer week last year?"Our favorite part of craft beer week last year was witnessing the exciting energy from our customers during our stein holding competition. To see friendships - old, new, and some made over a beer just mere moments before the competition began, support and cheer each other on and enjoy each others company once the competition was over are friendships that Bridger Brewing loves to be a part of!"

What beer can't you live without?"Anything brewed at Bridger Brewing, of course! "

Why is your business involved with Bozeman Craft Beer Week?"One of our favorite parts of being a small business owner is being involved in our community in creative ways. Sponsoring and advocating for support of local breweries is one of those ways. Our favorite part of craft beer week is seeing the community support for all the breweries at various events. It's great!"

What's new and exciting at Dee-O-Gee?"Dee-O-Gee continues to be a local for Bozeman in independent pet supplies and services. We’ve won several national pet industry awards for excellence and we are excited to see Dee-O-Gee expand to Billings, MT this summer!"

What beer can't you live without?"While we love the classic West Coast style crisp IPA, we’ve recently been digging the hazy New England style IPA."

Why is your business involved with Bozeman Craft Beer Week?"We love supporting the local breweries because they support us. We are small family-owned Montana business that gets a lot of support from the breweries to help us in our business. So it’s always nice to give back when we can. Last year, we especially enjoyed the collaboration beers from the different breweries."

What's new and exciting at General Distributing?"We are celebrating our 70th anniversary this year. The company started in 1948, and we are a family-owned welding supply, industrial gases, medical oxygen, and beverage CO2 in Montana. We have grown to 6 locations across the state including Great Falls, Butte, Bozeman, Helena, Billings, and Glendive."

Triple Tree Sponsors

Why is your business involved with Bozeman Craft Beer Week?"As a new craft brewery in Bozeman, we feel it's both a duty and an opportunity to help support other craft breweries, beer bars and the craft beer industry by in large. We weren't in production at the time of last year's craft beer week so our participation was limited. However, we did appreciate the enthusiasm for craft beer that the week illustrated!"

What's new at Mountains Walking?"We are nearly finished with the Koelschip room and our wood barrels are filling up! More fruited sours are on the way as well."

Why is your business involved with Bozeman Craft Beer Week?"We choose to be a part of Bozeman Craft Beer Week because it brings the community together over a beloved, local product, craft beer!"

What's new at the Bozone?"Lots of new seasonal varieties on draft and in cans are on their way, as well as our growing sour program which will soon be packaged in 375 ml bottles with a champagne cork and cage."

What beer can't you live without?"Gallatin Pale Ale is a universal staff favorite at the brewery that we enjoy drinking everywhere."

Why is your business involved with Bozeman Craft Beer Week?"We love Montana craft beer and the opportunity to teach people about craft beer and the beer of Montana. Community and regional beers are important to us here at Ale Works."

What's new and interesting at Montana Ale Works?"We're close to completing construction of our new bar. Stop in soon to check out the new look and have a beer!"

Bozeman, MT (April 10, 2018) - Bozeman Craft Beer Week is fast approaching and adventurous beer-cationers and locals alike must begin contemplating which events to attend during the Gallatin Valley’s biggest annual beer bash. A celebration of craft beer, open space, and trails in its second year, Bozeman Craft Beer Week will take place May 5-12, 2018.

To commemorate the week, 10 local breweries have worked together to create a special collaboration beer appropriately called Gallatin Valley Lager. Brewed with locally-grown malt from Bridger Malt House and hops from Crooked Yard Hops, the beer is a refreshing, crisp Montana Pale Lager bursting with citrusy hop aroma. Craft beer week attendees can expect to find the collaboration lager available on tap and in cans at Bozeman Brewing Company, the host brewery for the beer project, as well as at participating sponsor businesses and retailers starting in late April through the end of craft beer week.

Proceeds from events throughout the week, as well as the sale of the collaboration beer, will be donated to Fermentana's craft beer week nonprofit partner, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, to support their mission of protecting open space and creating trails across the community.

Fermentana rolled out the 2018 craft beer week schedule the evening of Tuesday, April 10th, 2018 with their Official Schedule Release Party at co-presenting sponsor business, Sidewinders American Grill. The following 27 events are slated to take place during the community craft beer celebration over the course of the week:

Saturday, May 12th

Along with the robust events list, Fermentana has also released the official Bozeman Craft Beer Week Passport for 2018 to assist beer lovers with their craft beer week journey. This pocket-sized guide features a full schedule of events and over $100 in special incentives and discounts for passport holders at select sponsoring businesses throughout the week. Additionally, the Passport serves as event-goers’ entry into the Bozeman Craft Beer Week Giveaway which consists of over $2000 worth of prizes from participating sponsors, including a brand-new kegerator and YETI Tundra 50 cooler each branded to celebrate Bozeman’s Second Annual Craft Beer Week.

After a successful first year, the Gallatin Valley craft beer community will once again come together to celebrate Bozeman Craft Beer Week May 5-12, 2018. Organized by Fermentana, a local events promotions company, the eight-day, multi-venue celebration will feature over 20 beer-centric events happening across Bozeman and Belgrade, Montana.

In its second year, Bozeman Craft Beer Week incorporates new features including the addition of an official beneficiary. For 2018, Fermentana will donate a portion of the proceeds from the event week to local nonprofit Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT). Through this partnership, the organizers aim to not only celebrate the Bozeman area’s robust and growing craft beer scene but harness the enthusiasm for this local fermented beverage as a tool to give back to the community.

“Bozeman Craft Beer Week is about more than just craft beer,” says event co-founder, Jesse Bussard. “It’s also about community and we felt it was important to incorporate that more deeply into the week going forward. By partnering with GVLT and making their mission part of our event’s theme, we not only celebrate local craft beer, but we’re able to use beer as a tool to support GVLT’s important work to preserve our quality of life, water quality and open lands for future generations.”

GVLT’s mission of protecting open space and creating trails will play a key part in the 2018 craft beer week theme, “Bold Beer. Big Sky. Beautiful Places.” Additionally, 10 participating local breweries will work together to brew a single collaboration beer for the week. This beer will be available on draft and cans around Bozeman in early May with proceeds from its sale donated to GVLT.

Brewers from 10 craft breweries across the Gallatin Valley convened at Bozeman Brewing Company on January 9th, 2018 to design a recipe for what will become Bozeman Craft Beer Week's official collaboration beer. More details coming in the months ahead!

Currently, more than 30 businesses are slated to participate in the second annual event. Moreover, Fermentana welcomes Sidewinders American Grill as the 2018 Co-Presenting Sponsor. A recent addition to the Bozeman community, Sidewinders features classic American dishes with an international flare and over 75 different beers on tap, as well as wines and spirits. Additional sponsorship opportunities for businesses will remain open until February 28th.

While many events are still in the planning stages, craft beer enthusiasts can expect more of the fun and interactive events they experienced in Bozeman Craft Beer Week’s first year, as well as the addition of several new festivities. Once again, the Montana Brewers Association's Brewers Spring Rendezvous will culminate the eight days of events at week's end.

Fermentana plans to release the official event schedule in early April at a special event at Sidewinders. More details on the schedule release and collaboration beer will be made available in the coming months.

Local craft beer fans and tourists alike are invited to join the Bozeman area community in celebrating the best the region’s craft beer scene has to offer.

Hello, Gallatin Valley business owners! Now that the word about Bozeman Craft Beer Week 2018 is out, Fermentana is on the hunt for sponsors! While we may be the overall organizer of Bozeman Craft Beer Week, it is our vibrant community of breweries, restaurants, bars, distributors, and beer lovers that make this week-long craft beer celebration the best in the state!

In its first year, Bozeman Craft Beer Week had nearly 3,000 participants take part in over 24 events across 19 locations throughout the Gallatin Valley. This inaugural accomplishment was made possible through the generous backing of 32 sponsors. For this coming year, Fermentana plans to continue to grow and improve Bozeman Craft Beer Week with even better, high-quality, unique, and intriguing events. TO DO THAT, WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Learn what some of our 2017 sponsors had to say about why they become involved with Bozeman Craft Beer Week. read more...

We’ve crafted a variety of ways for breweries, businesses, and individuals to participate in Bozeman Craft Beer Week from the local nano-brewery to large beer distributors. The minimum level of investment is small and gets your events on our official calendar, website, and in our official Craft Beer Week passport, as well as other additional promotional materials. If you’re looking to feature your brand or products further we have a variety of sponsorship and event hosting opportunities available.

By sponsoring Bozeman Craft Beer Week your business will make a strong statement to our local and state craft beer community that your business supports the pioneering spirit, creativity, and commitment to craft, community, and collaboration that Montana’s beer culture is built upon. In addition, you’ll align your brand with these values and have your own chance to showcase your dedication to the craft as well by providing unique and interesting ways for your customers to interact with Montana craft beer.

Last week, we announced the dates (May 5-12, 2018), as well as the new theme for Bozeman Craft Beer Week 2018 in a LIVE Facebook Video announcement. If you missed our hilarious broadcast, you can get caught up in the video below. (We should note, it starts off pretty ridiculously with a naughty stick llama falling over and knocking over Loy's beer right as we started filming! Totally unplanned!)

In line with our new 2018 theme, "Bold Beer. Big Sky. Beautiful Places," we also need a new logo for the event week which captures both the Gallatin Valley's rich brewery culture and our community's love of wild and open spaces.

So we're asking you, the Gallatin Valley beer-loving public, for your help in the form of a Logo Design Contest!!! If you're a craft beer drinker with a knack for graphic design, then listen up!

The chosen winner gets a small cash prize, some sweet Craft Beer Week schwag, and the glory and recognition of seeing your logo in breweries and restaurants all over town during #BznBeerWeek in 2018.

Bozeman's first Craft Beer Week wrapped up two weeks ago, and after catching up on sleep, we've had some time to step back and reflect on what an amazing week it was! Check out our infographic below for a peek into Bozeman Craft Beer Week 2017 by the numbers.

Then relive experiencing some of your favorite events by watching our recap video. And rest assured, if you missed some events this year or even if you're just already thinking ahead to next spring, Bozeman Craft Beer Week 2018 is already in the works!!!

Want to help us make #BznBeerWeek 2018 even more awesome?

Take 5 minutes and fill out this survey. It's totally anonymous and will give us feedback to make next year's craft beer week even better!

Lastly, we'd like to thank our sponsors who helped make #BznBeerWeek2017 possible!

We are so grateful to our many sponsors that helped to make Craft Beer Week a FULL WEEK of incredible events. Please make sure you stop in at their businesses and let them know you appreciate their support in making craft beer week happen. We couldn't have done it without them! You can find a full list of our 2017 sponsors here.

Prizes will be available for pick-up starting at 12noon on Friday, May 19th through Sunday, May 21st at MAP Brewing Co.

DISCLAIMER: Over the next couple days, we'll be calling/emailing all of the winners to notify them they won. If you won a prize in this giveaway and we do not hear back from you within 1 week of our attempts to contact you, we will redraw for a new winner. Thanks again for participating in our giveaway. Cheers!

It's the brewfest you've been waiting for.

Today is the MBA Brewers Rendezvous at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds... and if you go to one brewfest this summer, make it this one! Check out below for more info and your condensed guide to what's happening around town today.

You can also stay up to date with the daily #BznBeerWeek happenings by liking our Facebook page and following us on Instagram and Twitter. Grab your friends, head to your favorite craft beer events, and raise a pint... it's time to celebrate! We look forward to seeing you around town!

Enjoy Montana craft beer while hanging out with brewers from across the state. This annual brewfest features only Montana-made craft beer as well as food vendors, live music from local band Solidarity Service, and a collectible glass with every ticket.

This year's Montana Brewers Spring Rendezvous is also part of the inaugural Bozeman Craft Beer Week! Taste beer from the far reaches of the state, whether it is from long-established breweries in Montana or the newest breweries just starting to share beer with their communities. The Montana Brewers Association is proud to feature Montana's finest beers and introduce you to the brewers who are at the epicenter of this creative and tasty venture.

4:00- 5:00 is VIP Hour

Gain early entrance and sample beers with Montana's brewers before the crowd arrives. $40 DAY OF RENDEZVOUS includes unlimited beer samples in your special edition VIP glass.

5:00-9:00 is General Admission

$30 DAY OF RENDEZVOUS includes unlimited beer samples and a commemorative glass.

All proceeds support the work of the Montana Brewers Association, an organization dedicated to promoting Montana craft beer and advocating in the policy arena for the interests of Montana beer lovers and our craft brewing industry.

Continue your celebration of Montana Beer at the Bozeman Taproom’s After Party! Lots of MT beers on tap, including the Craft Beer Week Collaboration beers, so if you haven’t tried them yet, make sure you swing by for your last chance!

For this Craft Beer Week finale event for 2017, Fermentana and MAP Brewing Company will be hosting an exclusive, four-course, beer pairing brunch!

Each small plate will be paired with an 8-ounce pour of one of MAP Brewing's award-winning beers. This delicious spread will be the perfect post-recovery meal following MBA's Spring Rendezvous and a great way to end Bozeman's first craft beer week!!!

Tickets are $40 each and there are only 50 seats available, so buy yours soon to make sure your spot is reserved for this very special beer brunch event! Cheers!

Woohoo! It's Thursday!

There's something for everyone happening during Bozeman Craft Beer Week... and today's range of events is wonderful! Keep reading for your condensed guide to what's happening around town today.

You can also stay up to date with the daily #BznBeerWeek happenings by liking our Facebook page and following us on Instagram and Twitter. Grab your friends, head to your favorite craft beer events, and raise a pint... it's time to celebrate! We look forward to seeing you around town!

Getting bored with IPAs and Pale Ales? Join Midtown Tavern on May 11th for their Sour Beer Seminar and delve into the funky, flavorful world of sour beers. Special beers featured include select sour beers from Bozeman's own, Bozeman Brewing Company and White Dog Brewing, as well some choice sours fromNew Belgium Brewing. Come to taste and learn! RSVP on Facebook or just show up!

Red Tractor Pizza will be hosting live Bluegrass from the Bridger Creek Boys, serving up delicious New York style hand-tossed pizzas, and pouring tasty beers from the Bozeman Brewing Company. End your Thursday with dinner, brews, and tunes at Red Tractor!

click here to read more about the amazing list of prizes we have to give away!

OTHER HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN

The Bozeman Brewing Company has special beer releases all week. Today they're releasing a spicy Jalapeño version of their Pinhead Pilsner!